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Tour Overview
This 9-day adventure explores Xinjiang’s natural wonders, Silk Road history, and ethnic cultures. Traverse the Du-Ku Highway, one of China’s most scenic mountain roads, to visit alpine lakes, nomadic grasslands, and desert oases. Highlights include Urumqi’s bustling markets, UNESCO-listed ruins in Turpan, and immersive stays in Kazakh yurts.What Is Special About This Tour?
Drive the Du-Ku Highway, famed for its dramatic mountain vistas and seasonal beauty. Experience Kazakh nomadic culture on the Karajun and Narat Grasslands. Explore ancient Silk Road sites like Jiaohe Ruins and Bezeklik Buddha Caves. Discover Turpan’s desert oases, including the engineering marvel of Karez Wells. Taste Uyghur and Kazakh cuisine, from lamb skewers to fermented mare’s milk (kumis).What to Prepare?
Clothing: Layered outfits (0–30°C temperature range), sturdy hiking shoes, and a sun hat. Sun Protection: High-SPF sunscreen, sunglasses, and lip balm. Altitude: Acclimatize for Sayram Lake (2,070m). Cash: Rural areas may not accept cards. Camera & Power Bank: For capturing vast landscapes. Snacks/Water: For long drives between destinations.Best Time to Visit
Mid-May to June: Blooming lavender fields and cool grasslands. July to August: Warm weather for hiking and lake activities. September to October: Autumn foliage on the Du-Ku Highway (road closes in winter).Destinations
- Ili(Ghulja)
- Turpan
- Urumqi
Tour Price
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Tailor Make Your Tour
- Your Schedule
- Your Interests
- Your Hotel Preference
Tour Start and End
Urumqi, Urumqi
Price Includes
- Accommodation
- Licensed English-speaking tour guide
- Private air-conditioned vehicle/bus
- Guide & driver accommodation + meals
- Train tickets
Price Excludes
- International/domestic flights
- Meals (can arranged if need)
- Entrance fees to monuments/attractions(can arranged if need)
- Optional excursions not listed in the itinerary
- Personal expenses (e.g., souvenirs, laundry)
- Tips for guide/driver
Tour Overview
This 9-day adventure explores Xinjiang’s natural wonders, Silk Road history, and ethnic cultures. Traverse the Du-Ku Highway, one of China’s most scenic mountain roads, to visit alpine lakes, nomadic grasslands, and desert oases. Highlights include Urumqi’s bustling markets, UNESCO-listed ruins in Turpan, and immersive stays in Kazakh yurts.
What Is Special About This Tour?
Drive the Du-Ku Highway, famed for its dramatic mountain vistas and seasonal beauty.
Experience Kazakh nomadic culture on the Karajun and Narat Grasslands.
Explore ancient Silk Road sites like Jiaohe Ruins and Bezeklik Buddha Caves.
Discover Turpan’s desert oases, including the engineering marvel of Karez Wells.
Taste Uyghur and Kazakh cuisine, from lamb skewers to fermented mare’s milk (kumis).
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Urumqi
Highlights: Urumqi Grand Bazaar
After Arrival at Urumqi Airport. Transfer to your hotel for check-in and refresh. Then take you to Explore the Urumqi Grand Bazaar, a lively market filled with local crafts, spices, and street food. Try samsa (lamb pies) and shop for silk scarves.
Overnight: Urumqi
Day 2: Urumqi → Heavenly Lake (110km, 2 hrs)
Highlights: Xinjiang Regional Museum, Heavenly Lake
Morning:Visit the Xinjiang Regional Museum to see the 3,800-year-old “Loulan Beauty” mummy and Silk Road artifacts, it is a Tarim Basin discovery, and Silk Road relics like Sogdian textiles, Then Drive to Heavenly Lake. Nestled in the Tianshan Mountains, this glacial lake offers boat rides with views of Bogda Peak (5,445m). Hike trails like the Fairy’s Footsteps for pine-scented vistas.
Overnight: Urumqi
Day 3: Urumqi → Sayram Lake (550 km, 7 hrs)
Highlights: Sayram Lake
Morning, Depart early for a scenic drive through the Dzungarian Basin. After Arrival at Sayram Lake, Xinjiang’s largest alpine lake. Walk the shoreline, photograph wildflower meadows, framed by meadows bursting with wildflowers (June–July). Sunset here paints the waters sapphire and gold.
Overnight: Near the Sayram Lake area
Day 4: Sayram → Karajun Grassland (300 km, 4 hrs)
Highlights: Fruit Valley Bridge, Kazanqi Street, Karajun Grassland
on the way, Stop at Fruit Valley Bridge for panoramic views of the valley. A photogenic stop overlooking lush orchards and the winding Ili River. Optional visit to Princess Jieyou Lavender Garden (seasonal). Visit Kazanqi Street in Yining to explore local handicrafts and try nan bread.
Afternoon: Arrive at Karajun Grassland. Ride horses or hike to viewpoints overlooking rolling green hills. Overnight: Tekes
Day 5: Tekes → Narat Grassland (250 km, 3 hrs)
Highlights: Narat Grassland
After breakfast, Drive to Narat Grassland, also spelled Nalati, is one of Xinjiang’s most iconic and pristine landscapes, nestled in the heart of the Tianshan Mountains within the Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture. A UNESCO World Heritage Site (as part of the "Xinjiang Tianshan" designation), it epitomizes the harmony between nomadic culture and untouched wilderness. You can watch herders with sheep and horses.
Overnight: Narat Town
Day 6: Narat → Urumqi via Du-Ku Highway (500 km, 9 hrs)
Highlights: Du-Ku Highway
Morning, Start the full-day drive along the Du-Ku Highway, Traverse one of China’s most scenic roads, crossing the Tianshan’s glacial valleys and meadows. passing glacial valleys and meadows. Stop for photos of the Kurgan Tash Snow Peak.
Overnight: Urumqi
Day 7: Urumqi → Turpan (180 km, 2.5 hrs)
Highlights: Jiaohe Ruins, Karez Well, Emin Minaret
After breakfast, Travel to Turpan which was a Silk Road Legacy, on the toad you can see the Chinese largest wind farm-Dabancheng Wind farm station, after arrival to Turpan, Visit the Jiaohe Ruins, an ancient earthen city carved into a cliff, once a Silk Road capital. Then Explore the Karez Well, A 2,000-year-old underground irrigation system, vital for Turpan’s vineyards. After drive to admire the Emin Minaret, a 44m-tall Islamic tower,with geometric patterns, built in 1777.
Overnight: Turpan
Day 8: Turpan → Urumqi (200 km, 3 hrs)
Highlights: Tuyuq Village, Flaming Mountains, Bezeklik Caves, Grape Valley
Morning, drive to Tuyuq Village, A 1,700-year-old Uyghur oasis with apricot groves. Hike to ancient Buddhist caves. Photo stop at the Flaming Mountains, known for fiery red cliffs. Then Explore Bezeklik Buddha Caves ,7th-century Buddhist grottoes with faded murals of celestial beings. After relax in Grape Valley, Shaded vineyards producing raisins; taste varieties like Munage (green) and Xiangfei (black). then drive back to Urumqi
Overnight: Urumqi
Day 9:
Urumqi Departure
Transfer to Urumqi Airport for your onward journey, end of Xinjiang Trip.
Tailor your itinerary effortlessly! Add or remove days, adjust activities, or customize services to match your interests. Simply email us your preferences, and we’ll craft the perfect private tour for you.
Share your hotel preferences, and we’ll handle the rest. Choose from:
5-star international hotels in major cities
4-star or 3-star options
All accommodations include breakfast.
Enjoy private, comfortable transfers in vehicles suited to your group size and needs. Let us know any special requests (e.g., extra space, child seats) for a seamless journey.
Breakfast is included daily. Lunch and dinner are left flexible so you can explore local cuisine freely. Our guides will gladly recommend top-rated restaurants based on your tastes.
